Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 12-08-27

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Hollande after meeting with Samaras: No question of Greek eurozone exit

[02] French President Hollande addresses letter to President Karolos Papoulias

[03] Samaras says high-level meetings part of effort to overturn negative climate

[04] Government satisfied with PM's contacts

[05] Government spokesman gives newspaper interview

[06] Government spokesman replies to SYRIZA announcement

[07] Merkel urges CSU cadres to use restraint when commenting on Greece, euro

[08] Chryssi Avghi leader to supporters at Thermopylae: 'You're CA's storm troopers'

[09] Ukrainian President Yanukovych on Mt. Athos for private visit

[10] Man fatally wounded in Aghios Panteleimonas quarrel

[11] Protest rally outside migrants' detention centre in Corinth

[12] Illegal immigrants arrested in Symi

[13] Arrest for bootleg cigarettes

[14] Wildfires in several locations

[15] Arson arrest for devastating Hios wildfires

[16] Super League results

[17] The Sunday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

[01] Hollande after meeting with Samaras: No question of Greek eurozone exit

French President Francois Hollande, speaking after holding talks with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras at the ?lys?e Palace here on Saturday, stressed that there is no question of Greece's exit from the eurozone, adding that the country was and must remain a member of Europe.

Hollande made joint statements with Samaras after their talks, something that is not anticipated by the French presidency's protocol.

Hollande stressed that he acknowledges the efforts that have been made by the Greek people, adding that "the Greek government must prove its credibility and the Greeks political will that they will continue with reforms".

However, he pointed out that all this must be done "in a way that the Greek people can tolerate". In parallel, he said a pending report by the EC-ECB-IMF "troika" must confirm that commitments are being observed, not only economic ones, but reforms as well -- and Europe to do what it must do.

Samaras, on his part, reminded that "some are counting on Greece's exit from the eurozone", while he reassured Hollande that "the country will do all that must be done and will succeed in gaining the position that suits it in Europe".

The Greek prime minister reiterated the need for immediate growth in the country to enable it to exit a vicious circle of recession, and stressed that he and the French president agree on the issue of the economy's recovery since, as he noted, it is the only way for Greece and Europe to achieve their targets.

"We are proud people, we do not like to borrow and depend on borrowed money. Europe means democracy and dignity and the peoples suffering must be helped to preserve democracy, their dignity, as well as social cohesion," the prime minister concluded.

SYRIZA

The Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA), in an announcement, charged that "Mr. Samaras did not ask for and did not receive anything from Merkel and Hollande, despite the fact that he gave everything".

SYRIZA added that "the only thing that his (Samaras) meetings with European leaders showed is the joint adherence of the Greek government and of the bankrupt European neo-liberalism to the exact implementation of the Memorandum programme".

It further said that there was no message by Samaras to European leaderships but only a joint stance by them towards the Greek people, while the leftist party stressed that the Greek people are being called on to accept new and even more "barbaric anti-popular" measures and a further decrease of their incomes.

Independent Greeks party

Independent Greeks party spokesman Christos Zois said Saturday's meeting was "just like the one with Ms Merkel ... Mr. Hollande requests the implementation of a programme that leads only to impoverishment, recession and recycles the crisis." The former ND MP also accused Samaras of failing to even utter the word "extension".

Chryssi Avghi

The Chryssi Avghi (Golden Dawn) party, in an announcement, underlined that "the Franco-German axis has decided to snatch our national wealth and is blackmailing with the possibility of a final impoverishment of the Greek people".

KKE

The Communist Party (KKE) stressed that "this is the new climate that the parties of the coalition government and SYRIZA (the Radical Left Coalition) were saying Hollande would bring. France and Germany, like all capitalist countries, are quarreling among themselves over the prey, but they are coordinated more than ever against the peoples and the Greek people".

[02] French President Hollande addresses letter to President Karolos Papoulias

"I am aware of the difficulties and woes that a section of the Greek people is experiencing as well as of the questions to the future.The two countries are linked with profound bonds of friendship and are always at each other's side in difficult moments" the letter said, among other things, according to reports appearing in the Sunday press.

"France will work in the framework of the EU for Greece's efforts to be supported," President Hollande added.

[03] Samaras says high-level meetings part of effort to overturn negative climate

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, speaking to public radio on Sunday after his visits here and a day earlier in Berlin, expressed a view that whatever negative views vis-a-vis Greece's economic problems existed in Europe are "ever so slowly" beginning to dissipate.

"We're waging this battle, beyond and above political parties and the howls being heard. We'll continue to wage this battle because this is something our country demands, and this is what we are obliged to do," he said.

He also said his successive meetings in Athens, Berlin and Paris with Jean-Claude Juncker, Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande, respectively, were well-prepared and "allowed us to gradually overturn a climate that was against the country."

Finally, Samaras said every opportunity was taken to fully brief international media on the true nature of the crisis in the Greece, as he noted.

KKE

In a new announcement by the Communist Party (KKE) press office on Sunday, the party charged that "the current prime minister, just like the previous ones, is negotiating with his allies in the EU with the criterion being the economic and political interests of Greek plutocracy, which has every interest in the country's presence in the EU and the Memorandum, which dumps the crisis on the people"

[04] Government satisfied with PM's contacts

The government appears satisfied with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras' meetings with Eurogroup president Jean-Claude Juncker and the leaders of Germany Angela Merkel and France Francois Hollande.

Samaras pointed out to all his interlocutors that the government is determined to do everything necessary for the country to remain in the European Union.

The fact that both Merkel and Hollande made categorical statements that they desire Greece's stay in the European Union is also considered positive by the government.

Both leaders stressed in different tones that a great deal will depend on the report by the troika.

However, the government believes that with the meetings Greece's credibility is being regained, whose deficit is bigger than the fiscal deficit.

[05] Government spokesman gives newspaper interview

Kedikoglou added that the "package" containing the measures will "close" in early September, while warning with sanctions deputies who will not vote for them, saying that "the necessary measures will be taken".

He also made it clear that excesses will not be permitted in possible reactions to the measures and added that "the law will now be implemented everywhere".

[06] Government spokesman replies to SYRIZA announcement

"It is to be expected that SYRIZA will be indignant over the positive results of the prime minister's trip," Kedikoglou said in his statement.

[07] Merkel urges CSU cadres to use restraint when commenting on Greece, euro

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, speaking in an interview with the TV network ARD, set for broadcast on Sunday evening, and referring to statements by members of the Christian Social Union of Bavaria (CSU) regarding Greece's possible exit from the eurozone, warned: "all should weigh their words carefully."

According to extracts of the interview, the German chancellor said that at this moment Europe is amid a very decisive phase in efforts to manage the euro crisis.

"We have a responsibility towards each other in Europe. Europe is not only a monetary union, but it is a political union, which for decades kept the peace," Merkel said a day after her meeting in Berlin with visiting Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.

[08] Chryssi Avghi leader to supporters at Thermopylae: 'You're CA's storm troopers'

The leader of the ultra-nationalist party addressed supporters from around the country in front of an iconic backdrop, the monument to Spartan King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans in Thermopylae, south-central Greece.

"Dendias came out with an smug smile to say that we (government) shall crush the storm troopers. We are here, let them come and crush us ... You are the storm troopers of Chryssi Avghi," Mihaloliakos told assembled supporters who arrived at the monument with buses and cars from around the country.

Moreover, Mihaloliakos criticised Greece's political parties, referring to "traitors", while also stepping up his attack on the institution of Parliament: "We feel uncomfortable in there. If they want we'll abandon it at any moment; we'll take to the streets ... then we'll see what storm troopers are."

The controversial political leader, whose party has been described by critics as extremist and xenophobic, went on to say "we are waiting for the time to be strong enough to claim Greeks' just cause ... at some point the struggle will be waged."

[09] Ukrainian President Yanukovych on Mt. Athos for private visit

According to a draft itinerary submitted to the Greek foreign ministry, Yanukovych will visit the Mt. Athos capital of Karyes and the monasteries of Vatopedi, Aghios Panteleimonas and Iviron.

The Ukrainian head of state had again visited the all-male semi-autonomous community in 2011, on the occasion of his official visit to Greece. At the time he was received in Karyes by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

General News

[10] Man fatally wounded in Aghios Panteleimonas quarrel

[11] Protest rally outside migrants' detention centre in Corinth

The event was attended by the city's mayor Alexandros Pnevmatikos, local government officials, deputies of the Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avghi) party, representatives of the trade world and the municipal council.

The mayor of Corinth once again denounced the state's decision to turn the camp into an illegal immigrants' detention centre and stressed that this cannot be accepted by the municipal authority and the inhabitants of Corinth.

[12] Illegal immigrants arrested in Symi

[13] Arrest for bootleg cigarettes

[14] Wildfires in several locations

The blaze erupted at roughly 10 p.m. on Saturday at a distance of 200 metres from the nearly residences, with fishermen off the northern Evoikos Gulf first notifying authorities of the three-front fire.

Meanwhile, a large wildfire that burned forestland in the Afidnes township, north of Athens proper, was extinguished on Sunday, after covering much of northern Athens and eastern Attica prefecture with smoke and ash.

Another wildfire was reported in a wooded area in the Vergi site, northern Serres prefecture.

Finally, a wildfire was reported on Sunday at the Myrsinohori site near Pylos, in Messinia prefecture.

[15] Arson arrest for devastating Hios wildfires

In making his plea, he reportedly admitted to setting no less than 14 wildfires in the north of the island, as well as three last year, although he claimed he did not start the first and largest wildfire last week. He will be brought before a prosecutor on the island on Monday.

As regards to a wildfire on Aug. 23 on the Ionian island of Zakynthos, a 61-year-old islander was arrested. He was brought before a prosecutor on Friday on charges of willful arson of a forest.

According to authorities, indictments have been prepared against 250 people on charges of causing wildfires in farm and forested regions -- 26 of whom intentionally and 224 through negligence.

Sports

[16] Super League results

The game between Veria and Olympiacos Piraeus is scheduled to take place later on Sunday night, while Panionios Athens and Aris Thessaloniki will play on Monday August 27.

[17] The Sunday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

AVGHI: "PM's legal adviser involved in Siemens' hidden coffers".

AVRIANI: "Black September for economy, society".

DIMOKRATIA: "MPs, Ministers living in their own little world."

ELEFTEROS TYPOS: "Pensions, lump sums, bonuses in troika's vice."

ETHNOS: "Relief measures for all bank loans".

KATHIMERINI: "All the measures until October".

RIZOSPASTIS: "PAME calls for preparation of general strike".

PROTO THEMA (weekly): "They're giving clemency to foreign criminals in order to become Greek citizens".

REALNEWS (weekly): "Merkel, Hollande refer us to post troika report."

TO PARON (weekly): "A life vest for Spain".

TO VIMA: "Merkel surprises by making it clear to Samaras: 'Do them (commitments) and then we'll see..."

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